Voices Part II

If there is one political figure whose opinion you simply can’t just pass and ignore, that would be the witty and frank Senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago. She recently renewed her wedding vows with husband Narciso Santiago, a former Interior Undersecretary, on their 40^th anniversary. She was even quoted as to calling herself a “veteran wife”. The senator renewed her vows at one of Philippines’ biggest churches, officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

Although she says she is a very committed Catholic, the senator voiced out her strong support for the Reproductive Health Bill and Divorce Bill—after all, she authored the former. And even if that is so, she believes she does not see her faith and advocacies clashing. The senator expressed her opinion on the divorce during her wedding reception at the Manila Hotel, stating, “I’m just trying to exercise my freedom of conscience. I’m not fighting for myself or for any political agenda. I’m fighting for the oppressed Filipino poor woman.”

Did I hear a sigh of relief? I think her opinion was sort of a breath of fresh air because it did not show any signs of hypocrisy. She reiterated that she is a faithful Catholic, even studying theology, but stands for her advocacy in protecting oppressed Filipinas from abusive, even homicidal marriages. She went on to say, “I think that divorce should be available to people who become homicidal at the sight of each other.” That’s Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s humor for you! But I must say I’m impressed to witness an elder like her in politics who is liberated and has an open mind, while still staying true to her faith.

Even if the intelligent politician supports the divorce bill, she obviously does not have any plans of taking that route. She even shared the secret to her lasting relationship. “We never see each other in my house. That’s the secret. Sometimes, I’m surprised that I’m married to someone so good-looking because I hardly ever see him. …We have autonomy, we have space.” Well that surprised me because I don’t think I’m definitely someone who could resist not seeing my future husband, and at home? Shouldn’t they be sleeping in the same room? Maybe it’s something that goes with age yeah? Because even my grandparents did not acquaint much at home. The senator further shared, “I’ve always been very attached to the concept that marriage is an inviolable social institution as our Civil Code provides.”

So what’s her final word on divorce? Here it goes, “That is so much better than making each other miserable for the rest of their lives and impacting the lives of their children as well. …I am in favor of a divorce bill provided that grounds for divorce are very strict so that we will not encourage young people to rush into marriage and then rush out by divorce.” One thing I realized as I read her quote—how unfortunate is it that divorce or no divorce, it effects to children suffering.

Sources:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/20/11/miriam-backs-divorce-bill-renews-vows
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/insights/06/20/11/miriam-love-marriage-and-divorce